~To Be an Activity Hub for the Tribals~

The Tribal Culture Centre (TCC) promoted by Tata Steel has been upgraded to the centre of excellence. The upgraded centre was formally inaugurated by Mr. B. Muthuraman, MD of Tata Steel today morning amidst a huge gathering.

Mr. Muthuraman was delighted to see the upgraded centre with more facilities and opportunities for the tribals. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Muthuraman said, “Mankind has been chasing the philosophy of equal opportunity for long, but has not been successful in adopting this. However, Tata Steel has believed in Affirmative Action since its inception. By its inherent social consciousness, the company has adopted Affirmative Action. Anything that is done should be done in consultation with the people for whom it is done. Through this Centre, Tata Steel will be able to provide the necessary foundation to the people for equal opportunity.”Mr Partha Sengupta, VP (CS), Tata Steel was also present during the occasion along with other Senior Executives of Tata Steel, members of various tribal associations and senior citizens of Jamshedpur.

During the occasion, Ms. Munni Tiu and Mr. Jagarnath Soren, the beneficiaries of one of the projects for tribals shared their experiences with the gathering. Ms Tiu is now the Ward Commissioner of the Gamharia block of Sareikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand and Mr Soren is currently working in the Coke Plant of the Company after completing his trade apprentice training.

TCC which was set up in the year 1990 for the welfare of the tribal community of Jharkhand now has an upgraded Heritage Hall and Amphitheatre depicting the heritage and culture of the various tribes of Jharkhand.

Mr. Satish Pillai, Chief, CSS, Tata Steel in his welcome address informed that the Company has proposed to use TCC for the promotion of rural enterprise, Santhali language, vocational training and art and culture of the tribals with a special focus on the promotion of Jharkhand tribal sports called “Kati”. Plans are afoot to set up a sports hostel for the tribals in the near future.

Though Affirmative Action was declared as a Policy in 2006 by the Government of India, Tata Steel has been practicing it for over three decades now. Through Tribal Cultural Society (TCS), Tata Steel has been working for the preservation of the rich tribal heritage and culture of the indigenous people in the state of Jharkhand. A Heritage Hall maintained by Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, serves as a platform for highlighting tribal legacy. It showcases the lifestyle of not only the Oraon, Ho, Munda and Santhal tribes but also the primitive tribes like Sabar, Birhor, Kharia, Mal-Paharia and Suray-Pahariya. Other projects focus on improvement of livelihood opportunities amongst the economically weaker sections and improvement of health and hygiene amongst marginalized families.

Tata Steel has done some exemplary work in the state of Jharkhand and has made a huge difference to the lives of the people. It has taken up the responsibility to save and protect the primitive tribes of Jharkhand and bring them at par with mainstream civilization. Now,

the company is in the process of taking this model forward to other eastern states like Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

Needless to say, the gamut of Tata Steel’s social outreach programmes for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society spreads across all segments that include income generation, health and hygiene, education and adult literacy, agriculture and wasteland management. It covers over 800 villages in the states of Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.